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F1·June 23, 2026 01:17 PM ET

Verstappen's 2019 muscle-past on Leclerc for Austria lead resurfaces

A classic Red Bull Ring duel makes the rounds again.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jun 231 min read
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Max ⚔️ Charles Verstappen muscles his way past after a fiesty battle with Leclerc for the lead in Austria back in 2019! Via @F1 on X

What happened: A 2019 Austrian Grand Prix moment is circulating again, showing Max Verstappen forcing his way past Charles Leclerc to take the lead after a hard, side-by-side fight at the Red Bull Ring. The pass came late in that race and stood as one of the season's defining on-track battles between the two drivers.

Why it matters: The clip lands as Formula 1 heads back to Austria, the Red Bull Ring being one of the venues where Verstappen and Red Bull have enjoyed sustained success. Verstappen-Leclerc wheel-to-wheel running has remained a recurring storyline across their careers, and the Austrian setting carries added weight for the home team.

What to watch: Attention turns to the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix weekend, where Verstappen and Leclerc figure to be among the names to watch at a circuit that has historically produced close racing.

Sources

  • @F1 

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